Abstract

RAMIREZ, Jairo  and  POZO, Marcos E. Abdominal aortic aneurysms: Trends and controversies in management. rev. colomb. cir. [online]. 2010, vol.25, n.4, pp.323-331. ISSN 2011-7582.

The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) increases with age, especially after 65 years. Screening for this pathology should be performed in every patient with known risk factors, considering that most cases are asymptomatic. Surgical treatment is the mainstay therapy, based upon the risk of rupture and the associated high mortality rates. Surgical repair is indicated as long as the patient presents with symptoms or complications derived from the AAA (distal embolization, compressive effect on adjacent structures) or when aneurysm diameter is greater than 5.5cm. Surgical options are conventional open aneurysm repair or endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Treatment decisions should be individually considered according to comorbidities, experience of the medical team and the patient’s preferences. Current recommendations regarding small aneurysms (<5.5cm diameter) and new medical treatments to slow progression of the disease are discussed. The article includes a literature review and a case presentation.

Keywords : aortic aneurysm; abdominal; diagnostic techniques; cardiovascular; vascular surgical procedures; blood vessel prosthesis.

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